Tszyu Cup hits Kaluga!

May 5, 2008

By Alexey Sukachev

A new Russian city will join the club in the constantly accelerating and improving International Kostya Tszyu Cup. The sixth stage of this tournament will be held on May 10 at a specifically designed sports arena in Kaluga, about 165 km from Moscow. Six pairs of pugs will be matched with the help of Stanislav Bukhlov, including two unbeaten heavyweights in regional title bouts. The event will be organized conjointly by the group of companies “Tashir” and by the Tszyu Fund for Sport Support and Development. The living legend will visit the show himself to award best fighters, to greet local boxing community and to do several workouts with young boxers.

Undefeated Armenian-native Artur Marabyan (10-0, 4 KOs) is going to face tough Latvian journeyman Roman Dabolins (9-10, 6 KOs) for the vacant IBF East/West Europe heavyweight title. Marabyan scored convincing victories over American opponents Ramon Hayes and Sedreck Fields last fall. 36-year old Dabolins shared the same ring with former world champion Valery Brudov, current and former European champions Johnny Jensen, Pietro Aurino and Elvis Mikhailenko and is better than his record suggests.

Another unbeaten heavyweight, Alexey Soloviev (14-0, 9 KOs) will box for the vacant IBF international title against Kenyan Raymond ‘King Kong’ Ochieng (12-6-1, 9 KOs). Karen Tevosyan (4-0-3, 2 KOs) will go against Thai Kongtoranee Por Surasak (10-7, 7 KOs) in eight-rounder. Damir Bulatov (3-2-1, 1 KO) meets Tanzanyan Richard Segere (5-0-2, 3 KOs) over eight rounds. Evgeny Veniaminov (6-3-1, 2 KOs) is scheduled for six rounds versus Latvian Jurijs Borejko (14-11, 9 KOs). Alexander Kotlobay (9-1-1, 5 KOs) was to fight against Paata Berikashvili (7-6, 5 KOs) but the Russian Consulate in Tbilisi refused to issue visa for the Georgian. Finally young cruiserweight from Saint-Petersburg will face another Georgian, but living in Moscow - Teymuraz Kekelidze (15-28-1, 12 KOs) also over eight.